The Belles is an engaging and direct commentary on issues that plague our world, such as power struggles, race, and social constructs of beauty. Dhonielle Clayton faces such intense problems and weaves them into a world where beauty is controlled by the elite and can be purchased and manipulated by those in power. The Belles are a group of women gifted with the power to not only add color to an otherwise gray population, but alter their physical features as well. The price and pain involved are high, but what you look like determines your station in life... right?
Camellia is a strong-willed protagonist who wants to be the favorite Belle and perform her duties with the royals and her entourage. As the plot develops, she realizes not everything is as beautiful it seems and Orleans has secrets she that she was never taught through her training to be a Belle. She also has to face egregious abuses of power and determine whether her allegiance lies with her Belle responsibilities or her growing conscience and awareness.
The world Clayton has built is enchanting and decadent with its teacup animals, elaborate clothing, and over-the-top physical alterations as women reach for unattainable perfection no matter the costs. I enjoyed the visually inspiring descriptions, court intrigue, the hints at romance (maybe more in book 2?), and the beginning of the journey of the Belles as they learn more and come to terms with the facts that everything they had been taught about the world could have been wrong. I look forward to continuing this series!
Camellia is a strong-willed protagonist who wants to be the favorite Belle and perform her duties with the royals and her entourage. As the plot develops, she realizes not everything is as beautiful it seems and Orleans has secrets she that she was never taught through her training to be a Belle. She also has to face egregious abuses of power and determine whether her allegiance lies with her Belle responsibilities or her growing conscience and awareness.
The world Clayton has built is enchanting and decadent with its teacup animals, elaborate clothing, and over-the-top physical alterations as women reach for unattainable perfection no matter the costs. I enjoyed the visually inspiring descriptions, court intrigue, the hints at romance (maybe more in book 2?), and the beginning of the journey of the Belles as they learn more and come to terms with the facts that everything they had been taught about the world could have been wrong. I look forward to continuing this series!